The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-16
THE FoRTY-NlNTH CONGRESS-.

Routine Business in the Senate-Debate on
the Eads Tshuantepec Ship Railway Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb 15.-The presiding officer
presented communication from the Secretary
OF the Treasury in regard to the need Of appro-
priations for wharf and other buildings at Sitka.
Alaska. Referred to the committee on appro-
priations
Mr.. JONES' of Nevada, from the committee on
finance, reported back House amendments to the
trade dollar bill, with q Recommendation that
they be onconcurred in.
The amendments were non-concurred in. and
a conference was asked
Messrs. Jones, of Nevada. Morrill, and Beck
were appointed conferees on the part Of the Sem
alta
MIR. Vest, from the Judiciary COMMITTEES, re-
ported back, with amendments, the House bill
to amend the act dividing the State Of Missouri
into two judicial districts, and to divide the
Eastern and Western districts into divisions.
The amendments agreed to and the bill
passed.
A conference was asked. and Messra Vest.
Wilson, of Iowa, and Evarts were appointed
Senate conferees.
Mr.. Hoar offered a resolution authorizing the
subcommittee of the committee privileges
and elections (inquring into the Washington
county. Texas, troubles) to inquire whether
there has been any attempt by the United States
district attorney for the Western district of
Texas or by the United States marshal, or any
OF his deputies, to interfere with or obstruct the
investigation, or to obstruct and intimidate wit
nesses. Laid over under objection.
MIR. Mitchell, Of Oregon, offered preamble
and resolution reciting provision of the Thur
man funding bill, to the effect that if either of
the Pacific railroad companies fails, for six
months, to perform its requirements, such fail
ure shall operate as forfeiture; and directing
the Attorney general to advise the Senate
whether the Union or Central Pacific company
has, for the period of six months or longer.
failed to perform its duty under that law; and
if so. whether any proceedings have been nsti-
tuted by the Attorney general for the purpose of
judiciaiy enforcing the forfeiture of all rights,
privileges grants and franchises. Referred
On motion of Mr. Cameron, the bill to in
crease the naval establishment was taken up
yeas 80. nays Is.
Mr., Butler moved to postpone the bill and to
take up for consideration the House bill chang
ing the time of meeting of the Legislative As
sembly of Washington Territory Rejected
yeas 20, nays 37-and the Senate proceeded to
consideration of the bill to increase the naval
Mr. Hale offered an amendment that, il the
speed of any of the vessels shall exceed twenty
knots an hour, the contractor shall receive $780,,
600 for every additional quarter knot, and If it
shall be less than twenty knots an hour there
shall be deducted from the contractor $50, Coo
for every quarter knot below twenty knots.
Mr.. Van WICK regarded the amendment as
opening the door for escape from the main feat
ure OF the bill, which was a provision that the
speed should not be less than twenty knots an
hour.
Mr.. Hale explained and defended the amend
ment He offered it as practical measure. It
did not involve the abandonment of the twenty
knot speed. but it did not encourage and stimu-
late contractors to enter on this great work in
contracts which would be their ruin il they
failed to the extent of quarter of a knot.
Mr. Van Wyck characterized the amendment
as one for enabling the committee to hedge"
or the Naval Department. to "hedge," the
contractors to "hedge" against the government
and against the people. He believed that the
real object of these twin bills, as of the two
companion ordnance bills. was to depiete the
Treasury SO that there should be excuse for
reducing oppressive tariff duties
Mr.. Hale wished the Senator from Nebraska
&c realize that it was possible for a committee
to report bill without having any sinister OBJ
ject. This bill was not brought forward as trick
to prevent the reduction of taxation.
At o'clock the unfinished business the Eads
Tehuantepec bill, was presented by the presid
ing officer, and Mr.. Cameron moved to lay it
aside and proceed with the naval bill. After.
some colloquy and suggestions he withdrew the
motion, and the Eads bill was taken up for con-
sideration,
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment providing
that nothing in the act shall be construed as a
waiver of any right which the United States may
now have under any treaty heretofore made
with Mexico. Adopted.
Mr. Van Wyck offered an amendment that no
stock shall be issued until fully paid for in money
at the par value, and no bonds issued until the
full amount of stock has been subscribed for and
so per cent. of it paid for.
Mr. Edmunds called Mr. Van Wyck's attention
to the fact that in the substitute offered by Mr..
Vest. and which was the real bill under discus
sion there was no provision for stock. 1t was
the most perfectly unique charter of corpora
ton he had ever seen. The amount of capital
stock to be issued, and everything else connect
ed with the CORPORATION, was left entirely to the
discretion of Eads and his associates He did
not believe that the starute-books of any civ
ilized country on the globe such charter could
be found. In Ireland such corporation would
be called Exiting" corporation, where the kite
RAISED the wind, instead of the wind raising
the kite. He denied the constitutional
power Of Congress to create such a
corporation. The company was to be q
| purely Mexican company, and this bill was
merely to give il s'send Off" Congress might
Just we'll undertake to incorporate bank OF
| o manufacturing company in .bs atty Of Chi
! huahua Coming down &c the question of the
proposed ship railway, he expressed the opinion
| that it was totally out of the question for any
practical, continuous mechanical continuance to
| transport ships from ocean to ocean. His con-
| tention First that the bill was clear case
| of usurpation of power on the part of Congress;
and second, that the creation of the corporation,
| If Congress had the constitutional power was
| one which was perfectly unique in the audacity
of it's comforting powers on corporation with
| out any limitation, except the will OF the cor
| poration itself.
MIR. Hoar argued that Congress had full power
! to do what the bill proposed
/ Mr.. Vest made an argument in defense OF the
| constltutionality of the measure. 1t was ar
open secret, he said, that the Senator from Yer
| mont was an open and undisgused enemy of the
Tehuantepec ship railway, and the special ad
| vocate of tho Nicaragua scheme.
Mr.. Edmunds-It is not open secrect, bu
an open fact.
Mr.. Vest-I accept the amendment Every
| phc In iy rrop Of fbo ohy,o ,$op
prise is accepted and aggravated by the Sena
! tors ina gination. Mr. Vest closed with an elo